Every September our daughter asks her children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The eldest, at six, wants to be a ballerina and t...

Tuesday, 4 June 2019

A perfect lunch spot

We went to see the geese family again but the birds weren’t in the basin where they had been the previous week. Both my husband and I had sore muscles so we decided not to walk that day. Instead, we enjoyed the location and had a picnic.

As we ate lunch on the bench, a pair of Mallards swam in the pond. We watched as they dabbled their way around, unconcerned by the spectators on the bench nearby.

In front of us, a Yellow warbler landed on some floating straw, appearing to rest before it went on its way.

On the islands in the basin, the leafless trees made it easy to see the tiny Yellow-rumped warblers which landed among the branches.

A larger bird, a male Bobolink, entertained us with its song for the longest time.

These birds nest in hay fields but cultivation practices and pesticide use has affected the population making it a threatened species. I hope this male found a mate and a safe place to nest.

The noisy male Red-winged blackbirds were everywhere but we don’t often see the females. However, a female stayed on the bulrushes long enough for some photos. She has a touch of colour around her beak.

In the trees behind us, a Northern parula sat and entertained us with his trilling song. It is the first time we’ve seen this bird which looks almost grumpy.

A male Gadwall flew into the basin and spent his time among the bulrushes.

It was a great lunch spot,

the ambiance was perfect and the food was just the way we like it. And the entertainment was world class.

What fine birds! I love the pretty warblers especially. I was curious as to why you were both sore: was it a shared walk? My quads were really sore after last week's hard hike, but they are fine now. :-)

I'm in a fight with 4 mourning doves right now. I never knew how pissy they could be! We inherited a nest on a hanging plant on our patio. Mama was nesting, so we waited for the birds to fly the coop, literally, waited a few more days to be sure, then removed the hanging plant with the nest. The four of them now (mama, daddy, and the two 'babies') have been harassing us ever since. Flying up to our windows batting their wings, and try to set up shop on the patio high ledge. I wish they'd just give up and go nest somewhere else.

Great place for a picnic. The birds are gorgeous. I had planned to go bird watching with a group this morning (for the first time) but it rained last night and I decided to skip it this time. Maybe I should invest in a pair of rubber boots or hiking boots. : )